Your teenager landed a part-time job at the grocery store, the pool, or a local restaurant. They're earning money and gaining experience—but what happens if they get hurt while on the job? A slip on a wet floor, a burn from kitchen equipment, or a strained back from lifting boxes can turn a routine shift into a medical crisis. Both parents and teens often ask whether part-time workers receive the same protections as full-time employees.
In Ohio, the answer is yes. Monast Law Office helps families understand the rights of teenage workers and ensures injured minors receive the benefits they deserve under Ohio workers' comp law.
Key Takeaways:
- Part-time teens are fully covered. Ohio gives minors the same workers’ comp protection as adults, no matter their schedule.
- Coverage depends on employment status. Teens who are true employees qualify, while casual or independent-contractor work often does not.
- Injured minors receive full benefits. Medical care, wage replacement, and disability benefits all apply when teens get hurt on the job.
How Are Teenagers Protected After a Workplace Injury?
The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) requires employers with one or more employees to provide workers' comp coverage, and that requirement applies to minors working any schedule. Whether your teen bags groceries for four hours on weekends or works full shifts during summer break, they're covered if they're injured on the job.
Age doesn't determine eligibility, either. The Ohio workers' comp law applies to employees regardless of age. A 16-year-old cashier has the same legal rights to workers' compensation benefits as a 40-year-old manager. The system operates on a no-fault basis: your teen doesn't have to prove the employer did anything wrong to qualify for benefits. If the injury happened at work and arose from job duties, coverage applies.
What About Jobs That Pay Less Than Minimum Wage or Casual Work?
Part-time status doesn't exclude teenage workers from coverage, but employment status matters. Teens who work as employees—with set schedules, supervision, and paychecks from an employer—qualify for workers' comp protection. However, casual work arrangements can create gray areas.
For example, Ohio law requires employers to provide coverage for domestic workers—such as babysitters and household help—who earn at least $160 per calendar quarter. If your teen babysits occasionally for a neighbor and earns less than $160 every three months, they likely won't have workers' comp coverage through that family. However, if they babysit regularly for the same household and earn more than $160 every three months, coverage requirements apply.
Independent contractors don't receive workers' comp coverage. If your teen mows lawns using their own equipment and sets their own schedule without employer supervision, they're likely an independent contractor rather than an employee. That classification eliminates workers' comp eligibility.
What Benefits Do Injured Teenage Workers Receive?
When a minor is injured at work, Ohio's workers' compensation system provides the same benefits as those available to adult employees. Once a claim is filed, medical expenses are the top priority. The system covers:
- Doctor visits
- Hospital stays
- Prescriptions
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Any other treatment necessary for recovery.
These benefits continue as long as medical care is needed.
Wage replacement is available if your teen misses work due to the injury. The Ohio workers' compensation law provides temporary total disability benefits when an employee can't work because of a job-related injury. The system calculates these benefits based on the worker's average weekly wage, replacing a portion of lost income during recovery.
For severe injuries resulting in permanent damage, additional benefits may apply. If your teen loses function in a body part or suffers lasting disability, they might qualify for scheduled loss compensation or permanent partial disability benefits. These payments recognize the long-term impact of workplace injuries on a young person's future earning potential.
When Your Teenager Gets Hurt at Work, Monast Law Office Will Protect Their Rights
Once your child receives medical attention, report the incident to the employer right away and submit a First Report of Injury form. This provides a detailed account of the workplace injury and initiates your teen’s workers’ compensation claim. If the employer doesn’t file the claim right away, you can do it through the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC). You'll need information about the injury, employer details, and medical records. Then:
- Document everything immediately. Keep records of medical visits, treatment recommendations, conversations with the employer, and any missed work or school activities related to the injury.
- Don't let the employer discourage filing. Some businesses suggest minor injuries don't need workers' comp documentation—but early reporting protects your teen's rights even if symptoms worsen later.
Please call our office if the employer disputes the claim, the BWC questions whether the injury happened at work, or if there’s a conflict about what treatment is necessary. As a devoted father and grandfather, attorney Jim Monast won’t hesitate to take immediate action to ensure both your teen's health and their legal rights. He’ll guide your family through the claims process and provide the support your child needs to receive comprehensive medical care and fair compensation while they focus on recovery.
